Published Sunday, 05 October, 2008 at 06:00 AM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Social and emotional learning to help students cope
State schools will begin embedding social and emotional learning into their school curriculum in a bid to boost students’ skills in dealing with stress, self-responsibility and interpersonal relations in today’s society.
Education and Training Minister Rod Welford will this week launch a guide to enable state schools to choose suitable social and emotional learning programs for their schools.
“Students who are happy in themselves, relate well to others and are motivated to learn, achieve better academically and create positive relationships with their teachers, family and classmates,” Mr Welford said.
“We think nothing of encouraging children to eat healthy foods and be active, particularly in this Year of Physical Activity, but a child’s social and emotional development is just as vital to their success.
“Social and emotional learning teaches children to recognise and manage emotions, develop care and concern for others, form positive relationships and make responsible decisions. Children with well-developed social skills and emotional awareness do better at school, both socially and academically, and that’s important for both teachers and parents.
“Today’s young people are growing up in a complex society which relies on technology and has access to more information than past generations. While this can be a good thing because there are more ways to keep in touch with others, it can sometimes be overwhelming and bring challenges that can test the resilience and maturity of young people.”
Mr Welford said some students could become stressed, anxious, sad or depressed because of issues at home or with their friends and other outside factors.
“Research shows that by building children’s social and emotional skills we can improve their capacity to learn and lay the foundation for coping strategies and the ability to bounce back after problems,” he said.
“Learning these skills can also help safeguard against negative behaviours such as bullying, dangerous risk-taking around sex, drugs and alcohol and engaging with violence - these negative behaviours threaten a child’s well-being and a school’s orderly functioning.”
Mr Welford said the Guide to Social and Emotional Learning in Queensland State Schools would be provided to schools so they could implement learning programs most appropriate to their needs.
“There are a range of programs available to help children develop positive relationships and motivate them to learn and achieve better academic results,” he said.
State schools around Queensland are implementing a variety of social and emotional learning programs including KidsMatter, FRIENDS for Life, You Can Do It, Bounce Back! and Aussie Optimism to ensure student social emotional well-being.
Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000
Education and Training Minister Rod Welford will this week launch a guide to enable state schools to choose suitable social and emotional learning programs for their schools.
“Students who are happy in themselves, relate well to others and are motivated to learn, achieve better academically and create positive relationships with their teachers, family and classmates,” Mr Welford said.
“We think nothing of encouraging children to eat healthy foods and be active, particularly in this Year of Physical Activity, but a child’s social and emotional development is just as vital to their success.
“Social and emotional learning teaches children to recognise and manage emotions, develop care and concern for others, form positive relationships and make responsible decisions. Children with well-developed social skills and emotional awareness do better at school, both socially and academically, and that’s important for both teachers and parents.
“Today’s young people are growing up in a complex society which relies on technology and has access to more information than past generations. While this can be a good thing because there are more ways to keep in touch with others, it can sometimes be overwhelming and bring challenges that can test the resilience and maturity of young people.”
Mr Welford said some students could become stressed, anxious, sad or depressed because of issues at home or with their friends and other outside factors.
“Research shows that by building children’s social and emotional skills we can improve their capacity to learn and lay the foundation for coping strategies and the ability to bounce back after problems,” he said.
“Learning these skills can also help safeguard against negative behaviours such as bullying, dangerous risk-taking around sex, drugs and alcohol and engaging with violence - these negative behaviours threaten a child’s well-being and a school’s orderly functioning.”
Mr Welford said the Guide to Social and Emotional Learning in Queensland State Schools would be provided to schools so they could implement learning programs most appropriate to their needs.
“There are a range of programs available to help children develop positive relationships and motivate them to learn and achieve better academic results,” he said.
State schools around Queensland are implementing a variety of social and emotional learning programs including KidsMatter, FRIENDS for Life, You Can Do It, Bounce Back! and Aussie Optimism to ensure student social emotional well-being.
Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000